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Centralia teen sentenced to five years in prison for Laura Leake Park shooting

By Bruce Kropp Jan 26, 2024 | 9:08 AM
Davion Meredith (Marion County Jail)

An 18-year-old Centralia man has been sentenced to five years in prison in connection with a shooting last April in Laura Leake Park that sent two to St. Louis Hospitals for treatment of injuries.

Davion Meredith had earlier pleaded guilty to a Class 1 felony of aggravated discharge of a firearm in exchange for a Class X felony charge of aggravated battery by discharge of a firearm being dismissed.

State’s Attorney Tim Hudspeth asked for an eight-year prison term, while Meredith’s attorney sought a probationary term.  Judge Mark Stedelin decided on the five-year sentence.  Hudspeth says under state statute, Meredith will have to serve 85 percent of the prison term.

As part of the sentencing hearing, Hudspeth showed a short snippet of the shooting.

A second person allegedly involved, 18-year-old Shavonte Samuels of Ashley, is scheduled for trial later this year on two counts of aggravated battery and aggravated discharge of a firearm.

Zykevious Burnett and Nyree Dugans were injured in the shooting.  Hudspeth says both have recovered from their injuries.